The Philippines is home to over 175 languages, with Filipino and English as the official languages. Filipino, based on Tagalog, serves as the national language, while English is widely used in government, education, and business. Many regional languages, such as Cebuano, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon, reflect the country's diverse culture and history. These languages belong to the Austronesian language family, which is one of the largest language families in the world, showcasing the rich linguistic heritage of the Filipino people.